What is a domain name?
A domain name is simply the address of a website where human users can read and remember easily when visiting websites.
For example, domain names e.g. “www.just-an-example.com” are designed to be like an home address readable by human users. Behind this domain name is an internet protocol (IP) address consisting of a string of numbers e.g. 192.0.2.41 which is easy to understand by the servers. However, it is easier for a human user to remember “just-an-example.com” than that string of numbers.
DNS, Top Level Domain & Country Code Top Level Domain
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a non-profit organization governing the maintenance and governance of internet domain name space and the databases.
The Domain Naming System (DNS) is part of the World Wide Web where it is like a phone directory where humans to readable address such as our website address "bennware.com.sg" is translated into Internet Protocol (IP) address where computer systems or the browsers we use can access the resources located in the host system such as information in our website about web design.
A Top Level Domain (TLD) is the highest in hierarchy in a branch of the DNS. For example, .com, .edu, .net or .org are TLD while .com.sg or com.au is a country code top-level domain (ccTLD).
The TLDs of each geographical regions are delegated to different countries where they administer and assign the various TLDs in each country and each country has their own governing body to maintain and govern the ccTLD. For the Singapore context, the governing body of .sg TLD is SGNIC while other countries such as Australia is the auDA.
An example of a domain TLD “bennware.com.sg” where it consisted of the name of our website “bennware”, and Top Level Domain “.com” and the Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD).
To use a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) or a “.com”?
The most common TLD is the ".com"domain and it is also very popular as it is one of the cheapest TLD to register. However, .dom domain may not be suitable for all domains.
For an example, if a client’s primary is a car repair business in Australia, an Australian ccTLD may be more relevant to users in terms of search ranking by the search engines over the .com domain. Depending on each different requirement of the websites, we will assist you if you are our clients by suggestion the various options in buying a domain name depending on your business types or individual requirements.
Choosing your domain name
For a business entity who is already being set up, the domain name is likely the same or similar to the business name.
- If you do not have an existing business registration, you may need to brainstorm a name for your domain name:
- May need to see if it have different meanings in other languages or dialects to prevent embarrassment or misunderstanding.
- Note down a few possible names and do a search in the few options below:
Start first by deciding what TLD you want and do a whois lookup search:
- Singapore domains: SGNIC https://www.sgnic.sg/domain-search (See Example below)
- Dot Com or other TLDs: ICANN https://lookup.icann.org/en (See Example below)
- Do a search using the "Whois" or “Lookup" search
- If the domain name is not registered, you can register with a domain registrar after you have opened an account with a domain registrar.
Payment for domain registration
Payment for the registration is usually done with a credit card and the domain name will be registered under your credentials. The minimum duration for the registration is usually one year. It is also good to select automatic renewal in our payment instruction so that the domain is automatically renewed when it is near expiry depending on the length of the renewal cycle. This is to ensure that our domain is still ours and the website is functioning uninterrupted.
It is important that the registrant is yourself or under your company name when registering the domain name. We can perform "whois" lookup on our own domain names or ask the company that did the registration to show the ownership of the domain names.
What if a domain is not available or squatted?
Sometimes we may encounter domain names being squatted by another person offering it for sales. It really depends on how bad we want that name and considering offering a price to transfer ownership to you. Another way to overcome the high cost in transferring ownership is using ccTLD where these domain squatters are restricted by conditions set by the country ccTLD administrator.
What we will do for you
The domain name that a user just registered with a domain registrar is not configured to link to the web server yet and some configurations need to be done at the domain registrar. One thing to take note is that who and where you register your domain is not important or if it is mandatory to register with your web host where most are also a domain registrar too.
Advice in choosing a suitable TLD
Identifying your audience is local or from overseas.
Choosing a domain name
Use existing name or brainstorm one.
Search
Perform a search if it's taken.
Registering the domain
Find a name host, register and pay for the domain name.
Configure & propagate domain DNS
We can help you configure & propagate the domain DNS.
How we help you choose a domain name?
A suitable domain name is the address to your website.
Your website address
Registration for a domain name
Configuration and connection to web server.
A suitable domain name is your professional image.
